New Delhi : The Delhi Metro will run 187 extra trips to avoid overcrowding on the Raksha Bandhan festival Aug 24, an official said on Aug 22.

According to a Delhi Metro spokesperson, 'the metro will provide extra 187 trips and the trains will run at peak hour frequency from morning 8 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. on Tuesday.'

Normally, 21 trains are withdrawn from the lines during non-peak hours 12.30 p.m.-4.30 p.m. But in view of the festival, these trains will be kept in service to provide 187 extra trips Aug 24.

The Delhi Metro normally witnesses a huge rush on Raksha Bandhan -- about one lakh extra commuters travel every year on the festival day.

In 2009, 10.08 lakh passengers travelled on the day of the festival, which was the highest ever number of riders at that time. Apart from additional train trips, extra manpower will be deployed at customer facilitation and ticket counters, the official said.

The metro covers 125 km and spans over 107 metro stations and, on an average, carries about 1.15 million commuters on a week day. It is expected to carry over 2 million (20 lakh) commuters once its entire network of 190 km becomes operational by September.